Author: Naija Daily News

Nigeria’s interfaith harmony was on display on Thursday, as hundreds of Muslims from across the North joined Christians for the annual Christmas service at the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna. The gathering, now in its 15th year, has become a defining symbol of peaceful coexistence between the two faiths in a region long troubled by sectarian tensions. Pastor Yohanna Buru, the church’s general overseer, said the steadily rising number of Muslim participants showed a deepening commitment to peace and mutual respect. He noted that attendees included members of Tijjaniyya groups, Shi’ites under the Islamic Movement, and Sunni…

Photo: Trump says, ‘I ordered “deadly strike”’ The Nigerian government has confirmed that U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on terrorist targets in the country’s Northwest, acknowledging for the first time a joint counter-terrorism operation with Washington aimed at crippling cells linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government said the precision strikes were conducted in line with existing bilateral security arrangements, intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to combat terrorism and violent extremism. The ministry stressed that the activities were…

The Presidency has dismissed as false and misleading a viral claim alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the report circulating on social media as a complete fabrication and urged Nigerians to disregard it entirely. Onanuga stressed that there has been no change in the leadership or structure of the Office of the Chief of Staff, noting that the claim did not emanate from any official or…

Photo: Unrelated scene of a tanker explosion By Deborah Nnamdi A fatal tanker explosion in the early hours of Thursday, December 25, claimed the lives of two people along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the incident involved a Mack truck conveying diesel and occurred at the Oto-Ijanikin axis, near the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), inward Agbara. Preliminary security investigations revealed that the crash was caused by excessive speed, as the tanker driver reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The tanker subsequently crashed and burst into flames, trapping…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to reject what it described as distorted or falsified tax laws, warning that such practices undermine public trust and the credibility of fiscal reforms. The call was made by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in his 2025 Christmas message issued on Wednesday, where he stressed the need for inclusivity, transparency and fairness in the formulation of tax policies. Ajaero said any tax system tainted by alleged distortions or forgery was unacceptable and should not be supported by citizens. “Together, in this season and beyond, we must insist on tax justice where the rich…

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 22 suspects and recovered firearms, vehicles, motorcycles and illicit drugs in a series of intelligence-driven operations across several states. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS). According to Hundeyin, the suspects are linked to a range of crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, car snatching, economic sabotage, impersonation and drug trafficking. He said six firearms were recovered during the operations, comprising one LAR rifle, a pump-action gun, AK-47 and AK-49…

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed the release and reunification of all abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. In a press statement dated December 25, 2025, and signed by the Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Diocese said a total of 230 pupils and staff members were verified to have been abducted and subsequently rescued following a comprehensive reconciliation and verification exercise. According to the statement, those abducted comprised 12 staff members, 14 students and 204 pupils. The Diocese confirmed that…

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said Nigerian tax authorities cannot debit taxpayers’ bank accounts without first exhausting the full judicial process, dismissing claims that newly gazetted tax laws permit arbitrary deductions. Oyedele clarified on Wednesday while speaking on the Arise Television Morning Show, amid public controversy over alleged alterations to the tax laws and fears that tax officials could gain direct access to bank accounts without court approval. He explained that before any deduction can be made from a taxpayer’s account, the tax liability must be conclusively established through the courts.…

At least four people have been confirmed dead and 14 others injured after a bomb exploded inside Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, Borno State, during the Maghrib prayer on Wednesday evening. The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the four fatalities were confirmed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, while efforts were ongoing to determine the condition of those taken to other medical facilities. “I am currently driving to all the scenes involved in the incident. I will provide the complete number of casualties later. But for now, we have confirmed four…

Kano State has been thrown into mourning following the sudden deaths of two members of the State House of Assembly, who were reported dead within hours of each other on Wednesday. The development was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Kano State House of Assembly, Kamaludeen Sani Shawai, in a statement to journalists. Shawai said one of the lawmakers, Aminu Sa’adu, fell ill shortly after arriving at the Assembly complex earlier in the day. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead in the evening. Sa’adu represented Ungogo Local Government Area in the Assembly. His…